Zaheer Khan Ignores Indians In Selecting His Top 5 ODI Bowlers; Picks Two Pakistan Pacers

The former left-arm Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has picked up his top five ODI bowlers, where he has gone with those who made an impact in their entire career with both the new and old ball in hand.

The southpaw reckoned that from 2000 to 2011, many bowlers used the cutters and reverse swing along with the slower balls to gain help from the surface in earning success.

Zaheer Khan picks Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis among the top five ODI bowlers

The left-arm Pakistan pacer, Wasim Akram, finished as the second leading wicket-taker in the 50-over format with 502 scalps in 351 innings at an average of 23.5, thanks to six five-wicket hauls.

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“Around 2000 to 2007 or 2010, there were a lot of international bowlers who were making a good impact. Wasim Akram was a name who made a lot of impact in the format with his variations and yorkers, going around and over the wicket using his slower ones. In this format, he had a huge impact on the ICC events.” Zaheer Khan expressed this during an interaction with Cricbuzz.

“As I was making my debut, a lot of the senior guys felt that I should go and have a discussion with him. It was a great conversation that I had with him, and he gave me a lot of encouragement as I was starting my journey in the international circuit.” He revealed.

Australia’s Glenn McGrath is seventh on the list with 381 wickets in 248 ODI innings at an average of 20.22, thanks to seven five-wicket hauls with the best bowling figure of 7/15 in an innings.

“Another bowler whom I looked up to was Glenn McGrath. The accuracy and the simplicity that he had with the action and extra bounce to give the impact with the new ball was evident in his career across all formats.” Zaheer Khan addressed.

Zaheer Khan names this Sri Lankan pacer among top five ODI bowlers

Zaheer Khan feels the right-arm pacer of Pakistan, Waqar Younis, has displayed his incredible strike rate for success in the 50-over format. He is the third leading wicket-taker in the format with 416 scalps in 258 innings at an average of 23.84.

“Let’s talk about Waqar Younis. You talk about the strike rate and impact, and a look at his ODI numbers will amaze one, especially the number of 5-fers he has taken in the ODI format. His impact was phenomenal in terms of his striking ability, and he was not afraid of going for runs. That’s the exact mindset the modern-day bowlers should take.” The Mumbai-born highlighted.

Sri Lanka’s left-arm fast bowler, Chaminda Vaas, is the fourth leading wicket-taker with 400 scalps in 320 innings at an average of 27.53, thanks to four five-wicket hauls.

“Chaminda Vass is another bowler who I feel will be right up there. I think we were playing a World XI game in Australia, and being on the same side, he shared how to bowl those cutters, and that was a great conversation for me with him. His impact was pretty much with the new ball.” The 46-year-old explained.

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“In the subcontinent, to have that accuracy and keep things simple, he was very impactful in giving his side control with excellent line and length.” Zaheer Khan elaborated.

Zaheer Khan lauds Dale Steyn’s fast outswingers

The last bowler on the list for Zaheer Khan in the 50-over format is South Africa’s Dale Steyn. Proteas’ veteran pacer has always earned success with his exceptional skill with fast out swinging deliveries.

“Another bowler is Dale Steyn, whom we know for his fiery approach. The fast outswingers’ impact was always there. When franchise cricket came in 2007, I spent a few months with him and had interesting conversations around pace bowling.” The left-arm fast bowler shed light.